Navigating the Nuances of the COBRA Subsidy Under the American Rescue Plan Act
Three Timely Benefits Items Everyone Should Know
As we edge into the second quarter of 2024, we continue to see a steady stream of layoff announcements — and employers are still feeling the fallout of pandemic-related hiring frenzies, unpredictable economic conditions, and...more
The Hollywood writers' strike ended last Tuesday with an agreement to manage the disruption caused by automation – a framework that likely will be repeated in other workplaces....more
The New York State Department of Labor (“NYS DOL”) issued updated regulations under the New York State Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act (“the Act”), which requires covered employers to provide 90 days’...more
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division recently released an opinion letter finding that employees who qualify for leave under the FMLA may use FMLA leave to work reduced hours until they have exhausted...more
Kentucky officials just rolled out a new program aiming to help employers and employees avoid some of the burdens of a layoff during an economic downturn. Starting on January 1 this year, employers in the state can now apply...more
Auswirkungen krisenbedingter Ausfallzeiten auf jährliche Sonderzahlungen Ende November 2021 hat das BAG entschieden, dass sich bei Kurarbeit „Null“ der Urlaubsanspruch zeitanteilig verringert (9 AZR 234/21). Der...more
Hosts Andrew Graw and Megan Monson discuss the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) as part of the new (third) COVID-19 stimulus relief bill. The ARPA assists qualifying individuals who lose coverage under an employer’s...more
As our readers may be aware, in March 2021, New York City passed an ordinance requiring fast food employers to have just cause to discharge their employees, where discharge includes termination, constructive discharge,...more
As we get closer to the September 30 expiration date of the COBRA premium subsidy provided under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the IRS has issued a second set of FAQs in Notice 2021-46 (Notice) to supplement its prior...more
On May 18, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service published guidance in the form of a series of 86 questions and answers (“FAQ”) that address the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021’s (“ARPA”) continuation health coverage in the...more
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides for 100% premium assistance to certain qualified beneficiaries for continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) for periods of...more
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). The reach of the ARPA extends far and wide, including to healthcare coverage available to...more
A March 11 article in the Health Care Compliance Association’s Report on Patient Privacy, “In Wake of 16th OCR Settlement, Time For CEs, BAs to Take Right of Access Seriously,” discussed the Right of Access Initiative that...more
There is an old saying – “People with weak stomachs should not watch sausage or legislation being made.” A great application of that aphorism is seen in the current COBRA subsidy proposed legislation making its way through...more
This edition of Employment Flash summarizes key employment law issues, including the Department of Labor's proposal for determining independent contractor status, revised DOL regulations that clarify who qualifies for...more
Carlton Fields tax attorney Lowell Walters discusses three timely employee benefits issues: using employee benefits to reduce expenses; helping retirement plan participants in an inconsistent investment market; and, the...more
Chile - In response to the sanitary and economic crisis produced by the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Chilean Government has introduced several measures to protect the employment and the employees’ salaries. The following is...more
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, both employers and employees are faced with liquidity issues, furloughs, layoffs, and the reduction of hours. In order to conserve cash, employers may be looking for ways to delay...more
This guide offers an overview of legal aspects of temporary layoffs in the requisite jurisdictions. It is meant as an overview in these marketplaces... This guide describes the law in force in the requisite jurisdictions...more
Until recently, employers had largely ignored unemployment claims other than to contest an occasional claim. Now, however, as employers consider different options to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their...more
After long public discussions, the short-time allowance is increased. The corresponding draft law was passed yesterday by the Bundestag. The following changes then occur: •The short-time work allowance is gradually...more
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we have fielded a number of questions regarding the terminology used during temporary inactive periods for an employee during the pandemic, specifically: is it a furlough or layoff? ...more
On April 23, 2020, Hinshaw labor and employment attorneys Brette Bensinger, Maryjo Pirages Reynolds, and Leigh Bonsall presented a webinar titled "Employer compliance and COVID-19: Paid sick Leave, Furloughs and Layoffs."...more
The coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated that even historically successful organizations may be forced to reduce employee headcount to maintain economic viability. Reducing employees' pay or hours, or sending them home on...more
Since mid-March 2020, the Swiss government has enacted a number of measures to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) on the Swiss economy. The most important measure was announced on 20 March 2020 to help...more